"It's a Nick Phipps special, really. He works so hard in behind the line, he's a very good cover defender and he did a great job."

It's those fighting qualities that have made the newly married Phipps a regular in the gold jersey since first being picked by Robbie Deans to tour in 2010. The durable No.9 has been selected in every squad since by Test coaches Ewen McKenzie and Michael Cheika.

In that time, however, Phipps has always had to play second fiddle to the great Will Genia, whose consistency and game management has been preferred.

Only when Genia has been injured or unavailable has Phipps been handed a Test start - he's come off the bench on 35 occasions.

He's also been forced to juggle game time with Jake Gordon in Super Rugby.